Display-stand



(No Model.)

F. W. LOWE. DISPLAY STAND.

No; 452,107. Patented May 12,1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFETcE.

FRANK V. LOWE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

DISPLAY-STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 452,107, dated May 12, 1891. Application filed May 10, 1890. Serial No. 351,238. (No model.)

To 66 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK W. LOWE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Display-Stan ds, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of stands which are particularly adapted for displaying hats, bonnets, and similar articles, the object being to produce a cheap, simple, and convenient stand that will hold the hat or other article firmly and at the desired height, and to admit of them being easily released and replaced.

The invention consists ofcertain details of construction, as hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents an elevation of a stand embodying my invention, the upper end being contracted to receive'the hat or other article. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the upper end expanded so as to hold the hat or other article. Fig. 3 is a plan or top view of the same. Fig. at is a vertical section through the lower portion of the stand.

A represents a weighted base, to which is secured a Vertical tube B.

O is a rod of adiameter to just fit into the tube B, in which it is free to he slid up or down, according to the height required. To the upper end of this rod is attached a head D, carrying two spring-arms E E, made of a single piece of wire bent into the form shown that is, with a straight base portion 1, that is clasped by the head D. The arms are then curved inward at 2 and then outward at 3, thus forming a spring by which the outer ends of the arms are expanded. From the point 3 the arms flare'outward for about half their height to a point at, and are then bent inwardly in an 8 form, as at 5, to receive the link F, for retaining the outer ends of the arms in a contracted or expanded position, as hereinafterdescribed. From the S-shaped portion 5 the arms flare outwardly to a point (i, and are then bent transversely to form holders E. The base 1 is clasped by the head D, which may be formed in two parts;

or, if desired, the head might be cast onto the wire. By the link F embracing the two arms at the S portion 4 a person can readily operate it with one hand and have the other hand free to place the hat or bonnet upon or remove it from the stand, as the S portion on one side will prevent the link from falling when the arms are pressed together by the hand, while the other end of the link will ride up the S portion on the opposite side and fall by its own weight into the position shown in Fig. 1 and hold the arms in acontracted position, so that a hat or bonnet can be placed on the holders E. Then when the link is pushed upward so as to pass above the 8 portion the arms expand and assume the position shown in Fig. 2, the arms being free to expand and the holders E coming into contact with the inner sides of the hat, thus securely holding the same. The under side of the base A is recessed, and a small flap-valve a is hinged thereto so as to cover the opening a, in which the tube B is fitted, and to the end of the rod 0 is secured a piston G, of rubber or other suitable material, so that when the base is resting flat the valve (1 will be closed and the rod C will be supported by the column of air in the tube B. Should it be desired to raise or lower the rod 0, the stand is slightly tilted and the valve a falls by its own weight, so

that when the rod is forced up or down the 7 air is admitted to or escapes from the tube B through the valve a; or, if desired, the rod 0 may be held in the tube B by friction alone.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. A display-stand consisting of a base, a valve at the bottom of the base,'a tube secured to the said base, a plunger fitting in said tube, a T'shaped head secured to the plunger, two spring-arms of a single piece of wire secured to the head,an(l a link connect ing the arms.

2. A display-stand consisting of a weighted base, a tube fitting the base, a plunger working in the tube, a valve at the bottom of the base, and a piece of wire forming two arms secured to the plunger, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a display-stand having a weighted base and a vertical tube in which a rod having spring-arms at its upper end is fitted to slide, an elastic piston secured two subscribing witnesses, on this 26th day of to the end of said sliding; rod, and a flap-valve ApriLA. D. 1890.

attached to the under side of the base so as 1 1 r 7 t to close the opening, substantially as ahd for RA1\K 5 the purpose set forth. Witnesses:

In testimony whereof I have signed my L. W. IIOWES,

name to this specification, in the presence of EDWIN PLANTA. 

